Flash Draft: Reese at 1 and Just Two QBs in My Top 16 Mock

Welcome back to The McShay Report! Today, I’m sharing a top-16 midseason mock draft. It’s a fun exercise at this point in the year to get an idea of where the league values certain players and how the first half of Round 1 might play out if the draft were tomorrow. There are a few trades noted throughout, but the base 1-16 order for this mock can be found here.

One major feature of this mock draft that differentiates it from most of the ones I’ve seen online is that I’m not including Oregon QB Dante Moore or South Carolina QB LaNorris Sellers. I revealed on last week’s Rough Draft show that my sources have both guys returning to school and forgoing the 2026 draft, so I’m going to roll with that intel for now. If that information changes, you’ll be the first to know. 

With that caveat out of the way: Titans, you’re on the clock!

With Cam Ward in the building, the Titans can select the best player on their board—and I see a world in which Reese is viewed in league circles as the next Micah Parsons. They’re not identical players, but I think Reese could have the same career path as a college off-ball linebacker who becomes an impact edge rusher at the next level.

This new Jets regime hand-picked Justin Fields, so I could see the mobility of Mendoza being appealing to them. Mendoza also has good size, a live arm, and a lot more starting experience than Ty Simpson, who I think he’ll be competing with for QB1 in this class. If the Jets swing and miss with this pick, they’ll have another shot in 2027, when they’ll have two first-rounders. That QB class is shaping up to be a historic group that could include Julian Sayin, LaNorris Sellers, Dante Moore, and Arch Manning, among others.

Simpson is the top QB on my board and I’m rather bullish on that stance, despite his limited starting experience at the college level. The Browns need to get quarterback right and I believe he’d be a step in the right direction. Don’t be surprised if he elects to return to Alabama next season, though.

The Giants wisely move back (albeit just one spot) to add a pick or two in this mock. While Tyson at no. 4 is admittedly rich, Malik Nabers’s absence this season has exposed the lack of quality pass-catching targets behind him on the roster. Jaxson Dart could use a big, physical presence opposite Nabers.

The next few games are huge for Tyler Shough’s future. But considering the QB talent coming out in 2027, New Orleans might be wise to give Shough another season before deciding whether he can be their franchise QB. That’s why trading back here (and asking for 2027 compensation) is smart. There’s going to be a great debate regarding the top edge in the 2026 class over the next several months. Will it be Faulk, Rueben Bain Jr., or David Bailey? The Saints could view Faulk (6-foot-7, 279 pounds) as their next Cam Jordan, so I’m going with him here.

Las Vegas might be looking for an edge opposite Maxx Crosby, but Woods is still viewed as a top-10 prospect by most NFL evaluators despite having an underwhelming season as a pass rusher. The Raiders’ run defense has been atrocious lately, so he’d fill an immediate need while offering the talent and upside teams are looking for in this range.

This is a no-brainer. After not drafting an offensive lineman in Round 1 last April (and selecting just one in that draft), attacking the trenches will be a huge priority for the new GM. Fano is an elite athlete at tackle and could be just what the Dolphins need as a blindside protector at RT (his natural position) for southpaw QB Tua Tagovailoa.

It’s been interesting talking to some scouts who aren’t quite as high on Bain simply because of his lack of sack production. Those scouts believe he’s not going to be an annual double-digit sack guy in the league, but I still think he’s a damn good prospect who will succeed at the next level. The Commanders certainly need to get younger on the edge with Von Miller nearing the end of his career.

Downs has an argument as the best football player in the ’26 class. But he’s a safety and he won’t have Nick Emmanwori’s measureables or testing numbers, so sliding a bit inside the top 10 is a possibility. The Bengals would be the beneficiary in this scenario and they desperately need help on that side of the ball. Downs could step in and offer some of what they lost when Jessie Bates III left in free agency a couple years ago.

Overhauling the offensive line was a priority last offseason, but more help should be on the way. Mauigoa is a massive mauler who could become a really good starting tackle or an elite guard in the NFL. 

We’ll see what happens with the Cardinals’ QB situation, but for now I’ve got Arizona going with a difference-making running back to replace James Conner, who’s dealt with injuries this year and will be entering his age-31 season in 2026. Love is a special talent and is ranked as a top-five player in this class on a lot of teams’ boards. He’s entering that Bijan Robinson–Ashton Jeanty conversation.

Bailey has been the best pass rusher in college football (he leads the nation with 11.5 sacks through 10 games) and might not last this long come April. But if he is available in this spot, the Cowboys would be wise to sprint to the podium with his name on the card. He’d fill a need on the edge after Dallas traded Micah Parsons before the season.

The Ravens have needs along all three levels of their defense, but adding a pass catcher like Tate—who has developed into a sensational route runner with size and contested-catch ability—could be more important for this team. I doubt they’ll be drafting this high come April, though.

The Vikings secondary has been an issue on and off for the past few years, and they could use another CB to pair with Byron Murphy after not drafting one this past April. McCoy is a talented man-to-man cover corner who’s still very much in the conversation for CB1 despite not having played this season as he continues recovering from an ACL injury suffered in January. South Carolina CB Brandon Cisse could also be in the CB1 mix and an option here.

In this scenario, I’d have the Rams moving back in Round 1 and getting 2027 draft-pick compensation in return. Matthew Stafford is playing at an MVP level right now, so Les Snead and Sean McVay opt for a player that can help them win with Stafford behind center in 2026. If the Rams brass goes this route, I expect them to address their future at QB in 2027, when there could be a special group of players available at the position.

The Panthers didn’t draft a linebacker in 2025, and they’ve had struggles at the position this season. Enter Allen, who’s instinctive, fast, smart, and can cover. Allen’s getting overshadowed in this class by Reese, but in terms of a true off-ball LB that doesn’t project as an edge in the NFL, he’s the best guy available in what’s shaping up to be one of the deeper classes at that position in recent memory. The UGA defense has shown improvement throughout this season and he’s been the glue guy leading the charge.